POLICE have confirmed a car containing human remains that was found submerged in a Queensland dam belongs to a man who went missing 13 years ago. (Pic: 7 News Queensland)

Stuart Cumming

Sunshine Coast DailyApril 21, 20171:00pm

File picture of Borumba Dam, where human remains have been found inside a submerged vehicle.Source:News Limited

THE car winched from Borumba Dam on Thursday has been confirmed as that of missing person Stuart Gatehouse.

But Sunshine Coast Crime Group officer Detective Inspector Dave Drinnen told The Sunshine Coast Daily results of forensic examinations being conducted on skeletal remains found inside will need to be finalised before they can confirm whether or not they have found the man missing for 13 years.

Mr Gatehouse would have turned 58 on Thursday.

“At this stage it is far too early in the investigation to be making any speculation as to who the deceased person that was located in that vehicle,” Det Insp Drinnen said.

Stuart Gatehouse was last seen in Kenilworth around April 2004.Source:News Limited

He said a post mortem examination was also being conducted to determine the cause of the occupant’s death.

“We have not been able to establish what has transpired in relation to the vehicle that has been located submerged in the dam.”

The red VL Holden Commodore was identified by a fisherman using a depth sounder during a contest on the dam on March 25.

He reported the find to police the next day.

Basstasstic Fishing Club competition organiser Russell Nowland was on the water when one of his fellow club members came across it.

“We’ve come across all sorts of stuff with the electric sounders,” Mr Nowland said.

He was shocked to learn on Thursday the car had a body in it.

“It is terrible to find out someone is in the car,” Mr Nowland said.

He was also surprised by the length of time between the car find being reported and its retrieval.